Asia Cup 2023: Ravi Shastri Opens Up On KL Rahul, Shreyas Iyer's Return To India Squad, Says "Give Them Some Matches Before..."

Former India head coach Ravi Shastri opened up on KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer’s return to the squad and said the two regular starters, who have been out of the first eleven for months, should not be included in the Asia Cup 2023 squad, since they are still recovering from their injury.

Shastri feels that the two players should play some other matches before Asia Cup since the tournament is about to start.

“They have to play matches, give them some matches before the Asia Cup. They should be picked in the team na. Abhi to shuru ho jata hai Asia Cup (Asia Cup is about to start now). Where will they play?,” Ravi Shastri said.

MSK Prasad said that he has seen KL Rahul playing at NCA and that two matches were organized only for him and that he might end up playing in the Asia Cup.

“I’ve seen KL Rahul playing in the NCA because I was there for the last one week… he might end up playing. They have already organized two matches for him,” MSK Prasad said.

Ravi Shastri disagreed with MSK Prasad and said that playing a real match is totally different from playing at the net.

“Playing in the nets and playing in the matches is different, totally different,” Shastri replied.

Injuries happen: Ravi Shastri on KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer’s injury

The former head coach gave a context of Jasprit Bumrah and said that the pacer was not given proper rest and was rushed which made his case even worse and he was out of action for an extended period of time. He added that KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer should not be hurried.

“Injuries happen. You have to be careful. You try to rush just with Bumrah. Not once, not twice, three times, I mean and he’s been sitting out for 14 months now,” Shastri concluded.

It is being said that BCCI will announce the Asia Cup squad after the first T20I match against Ireland on Friday (August 18).

India will begin their Asia Cup 2023 with a high-voltage match against Pakistan on 2nd September at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium.